Pokemon GO Charmander: Ultimate Guide for 2024

Charmander is a popular Fire-type Pokemon in Pokemon GO. With a maximum CP of 980, Charmander is a viable option for Great League PvP battles where its unique typing and moveset can shine.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Charmander in Pokemon GO, including its stats, best moveset, counters, and tips for using it effectively in both PvE raids and PvP battles.

📊 Charmander Base Stats & Overview

Charmander (#004) is a Fire-type Pokemon from Generation 1.

Base Stats
Attack	116
Defense	93
Stamina	118
Total Stats	327
Max CP	980
Buddy Distance	3 km

With 116 Attack, 93 Defense, and 118 Stamina, Charmander has a total stat product of 327. While not the highest in any single stat, Charmander’s balanced stats make it versatile in various battle situations.

⚔️ Best Moveset for Charmander

Choosing the right moveset is crucial for maximizing Charmander’s potential in Pokemon GO. The optimal moveset varies depending on whether you’re using Charmander for raids, gym battles, or PvP.

Best Raid & Gym Moveset

For PvE content like raids and gym battles, you want moves that maximize DPS (Damage Per Second). The best Fire-type moves will benefit from STAB (Same Type Attack Bonus), increasing damage by 20%.

Best PvP Moveset

In PvP battles, energy generation and coverage moves become more important. You’ll want a fast move that charges energy quickly and charged moves that provide good type coverage.

🎯 Charmander Type Effectiveness

Understanding type effectiveness is crucial for both using Charmander effectively and knowing how to counter it. As a Fire-type Pokemon, Charmander has specific strengths and weaknesses.

⚠️ Weaknesses (Takes Super Effective Damage From)

Charmander is weak to: Water, Ground, Rock-type moves. When battling against Charmander, use Pokemon with these types to deal 1.6x (or 2.56x for double weaknesses) damage.

• Water – Deals increased damage
• Ground – Deals increased damage
• Rock – Deals increased damage

🛡️ Resistances (Takes Reduced Damage From)

Charmander resists: Fire, Grass, Ice, Bug, Steel, Fairy-type moves. This means Charmander takes reduced damage (0.625x or less) from these attack types.

• Fire – Reduced damage
• Grass – Reduced damage
• Ice – Reduced damage
• Bug – Reduced damage
• Steel – Reduced damage
• Fairy – Reduced damage

🏆 Charmander PvP Analysis

Charmander can be used in Pokemon GO’s GO Battle League PvP battles. Here’s how it performs in each league:

Great League (1500 CP Limit)

Charmander can reach its full potential in Great League since its max CP (980) is at or below the 1500 CP limit. This makes it a viable option if its typing and moveset align with the current meta.

Ultra League (2500 CP Limit)

With a max CP of 980, Charmander may struggle in Ultra League against bulkier opponents with higher stat products.

Master League (No CP Limit)

Charmander is generally not recommended for Master League due to its lower max CP (980). Focus on other leagues instead.

⚔️ Charmander Raid Guide

Charmander is primarily used as a raid attacker rather than a raid boss. Here’s how to use it effectively in raids:

Using Charmander in Raids

When using Charmander as a raid attacker:

• Best against raid bosses weak to Fire-type moves
• Power up to at least level 30-35 for decent performance
• Ensure you have the optimal moveset for maximum DPS

🎯 Best Counters for Charmander

Whether you’re battling Charmander in raids, gyms, or PvP, knowing the best counters is essential for victory. Here are the top Pokemon to use against Charmander:

Top Counter Pokemon

The best counters exploit Charmander’s weaknesses to Water, Ground, Rock-type moves:

Pokemon	Type	Why It Works
Kyogre	Water	Best Water attacker with Waterfall + Hydro Pump
Swampert	Water/Ground	Mud Shot + Hydro Cannon is devastating
Gyarados	Water/Flying	Accessible and powerful Water attacker
Garchomp	Dragon/Ground	Mud Shot + Earth Power deals massive damage
Groudon	Ground	Legendary with Precipice Blades
Excadrill	Ground/Steel	High Ground DPS

Counter Strategy Tips

1. Prioritize Type Advantage: Use Pokemon with moves that are super effective against Charmander
2. Consider Bulk: Tankier counters can survive longer and deal more total damage
3. Watch for Coverage Moves: Charmander may have moves that counter its own counters
4. Weather Boost: Take advantage of weather conditions that boost your counter’s attacks

📍 How to Get Charmander in Pokemon GO

There are several ways to obtain Charmander in Pokemon GO:

• Wild Encounters: Charmander can spawn in the wild, especially in areas matching its type
• Eggs: May hatch from 3km eggs
• Evolution: Evolve from its pre-evolution using Candy
• Raids: Occasionally appears in raid battles
• Research Tasks: Complete field research for a chance to encounter
• Trading: Trade with friends

Shiny Charmander

Yes, Shiny Charmander is available in Pokemon GO! The shiny variant has a different coloration and is highly sought after by collectors. The shiny rate for wild encounters is approximately 1 in 500, though this can be boosted during special events like Community Days or Spotlight Hours.

Charmander Evolution

Charmander is a starter Pokemon that evolves twice:

• First evolution: 25 Candy
• Second evolution: 100 Candy

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

💡 Pro Tips for Using Charmander

Here are some advanced strategies and tips to maximize Charmander’s potential in Pokemon GO:

1. IV Optimization

For raids and gym battles, prioritize Charmander with high Attack IVs (15 Attack is ideal). The Attack stat contributes most to damage output in PvE content.

For PvP battles, the ideal IVs depend on the league:

• Great League: Look for low Attack, high Defense and HP (0/15/15 is often ideal)
• Ultra League: Similar to Great League, optimize for stat product under 2500 CP
• Master League: Perfect 15/15/15 IVs are best since there’s no CP cap

2. Power Up Priority

Before investing Stardust and Candy into Charmander, consider:

• Do you have enough resources? (Powering to level 50 costs 296,000 Stardust and 296 Candy)
• Will this Pokemon fill a gap in your battle team?
• Are there better alternatives for the same role?
• Do you have the optimal moveset or need Elite TMs?

3. Team Composition

Charmander works best when paired with Pokemon that cover its weaknesses. As a Fire type weak to Water, Ground, consider adding team members that resist these types.

4. Weather Considerations

Take advantage of weather boosts:

• When catching: Weather-boosted Charmander spawns at higher levels (up to 35)
• When battling: Weather that boosts Fire moves increases your damage output
• When raiding: Spawn weather-boosted counters by raiding in appropriate weather

📚 Charmander in the Pokemon Franchise

Charmander first appeared in Generation 1 of the main Pokemon series. For more detailed lore and information about Charmander’s origins, check out Bulbapedia.

In Pokemon GO, Charmander was introduced as part of the Generation 1 Pokemon rollout. Being a Generation 1 Pokemon, Charmander has been available since the game’s launch in July 2016.

📊 How Charmander Compares

Let’s see how Charmander stacks up against other Fire-type Pokemon:

Stat	Charmander	Type Average	Rating
Attack	116	~180	⭐
Defense	93	~160	⭐
Stamina	118	~170	⭐
Max CP	980	~2,500	⭐

🎯 Conclusion

Charmander is a versatile Fire-type Pokemon that can be a valuable addition to your Pokemon GO roster. With a max CP of 980 and solid base stats (116/93/118), it can shine in Great League PvP where its unique typing and moveset options provide interesting strategic possibilities.

Remember to:

• Optimize IVs based on your intended use (PvP vs PvE)
• Use the recommended moveset for maximum effectiveness
• Build a team that covers Charmander’s weaknesses
• Take advantage of weather boosts when possible

For more Pokemon guides and the complete Pokedex, visit our Pokemon GO Database. Check out our PvP Rankings for the current meta and Raid Guides for battle strategies.

Last updated: January 2026. Information based on the latest Pokemon GO game data.

← Previous

Venusaur in Pokemon GO – Stats, Moves, PvP Tips & More

Next →

Charmeleon Guide: Best Moveset, Counters & Pokemon GO Tips